A TEENAGER is devoting all of her spare time to raising thousands of pounds - to make people smile.

Kendra Pilcher, 15, a pupil at Redcar Community College, said: "I want to help, to make people happy.''

Along with friends, the youngster raised £1,600 at a benefit charity night at the Tall Trees Hotel, near Yarm.

She has so far persuaded nearly 70 people, including Redcar MP Vera Baird and local politicians of all parties, to donate a poem for an anthology she wants to see published in time for Christmas.

Middlesbrough-born Fame Academy contestant singer-songwriter Alistair Griffin has donated the lyrics of a song, for the book.

Kendra said: "The quotes I have received to print the book have been from £800 and the cheapest I have been able to get is for £445.

"I don't intend to let anyone down, and I'm determined to reach the deadline I have set to have the book on sale before Christmas. Even if I have to pay for it myself, I will raise the £445.

"I have a few personal items that I will probably even sell, to get this money together.''

The tireless fundraiser has asked people to donate their loose change for her campaign - Change For a Smile - to help sufferers of Parkinson's Disease, while she raised funds to help leukaemia suffer, Redcar schoolgirl Jessica Hawthorne, and the hospital ward which was treating her.

She also helps cancer charities, prompted by the death of her grandparents in 2003 and 2004, both from the disease, and her great grandmother's death, last year.

Kendra said: "I just wanted to give something back and I thought this was a good way of helping people.''

People can donate a poem, or help with printing the book, by contacting Kendra through her website www .changeforasmile.piczo.com